Aerodynamics

Every pilot's whish

Outstanding climbing performance, excellent gliding qualities even at very high speeds, optimized thermaling performance as well as good natured flight qualities. All these wishes turned into reality with the design of Antares gliders. Our aerodynamic layout is the result of a research projects which took several years. It has been uncompromisingly designed all of a piece.

Wing geometry

The Antares 20E’s wing geometry is described by an extremely slender super-ellipse. Thanks to this shape, the induced drag is reduced to its abstract minimum. It corresponds to the ideal value of an untwisted and elliptical shaped wing, without having to fear critical stall characteristics.

The deep-gauged outer wings are responsible for good-natured flight qualities. Plus, our winglets reduce the induced drag by another 5%. In total the 20 meter wingspan’s induced drag only measures 95% compared to an unadorned elliptic wing.

Airfoil

We used and perfectly harmonized nine different wing airfoils to minimize drag. The laminar flow on the wing’s bottom surface reaches up to 95% of its depth. Turbulator tape finally forces the laminar flow to transition to a turbulent boundary layer.

According to investigations commissioned by Lange Aviation this method of influencing the boundary layer is not significantly different from installing suction openings – as long as you do correctly apply the tape to the predominant boundary layer. It is also less sensitive to dirt or damage. On the airfoil’s upper surface the circulating air stays laminar until having followed up to 75% of its depth. This currently represents the best indicated value for airfoils which do not utilize boundary layer suction technique.

When flying at high speeds you can take advantage of an additional negative flap setting (- 3°). So, in the end you may fly at very high speeds and at the same time achieve a so far unreached gliding performance. Only at speeds over 220 km/h / 119 kts to 245 km/h / 132 kts (depending on your actual wing loading) these airfoils tend to fall out of the laminar flow.

Perfection to the finest detail

The Antares 20E’s wing area is big enough and well dimensioned to meet a motor glider's requirements.

In combination with a high aspect ratio of 32 it guarantees superior climbing qualities at a minimized induced drag.

Wings and winglets have been drafted in one unit. Perfectly matched with the wings our winglets thus significantly reduce drag and at the same time boost the flight qualities.

The electric propulsion unit’s compact engine helps to realize an optimal necking of the fuselage’s shape which further reduces aerodynamic drag.

Common aerodynamic loss of performance in the wing-fuselage fillet is minimized by a specific layout of the fuselage section and through using particularly turbulent airfoils in the area close to the fuselage.

Handling

The Antares 20E is thanks to its end-to-end flaperons incredibly well maneuverable. The flaps’ regulation is based on a novel control system, for which we have filed a patent. Additionally we could significantly reduce friction resistance in the entire control system by consequently using high quality ball bearings instead of slide bearings. The result are extraordinarily smooth controls.

Big rudder control surfaces with high aspect ratios and state-of-the-art airfoils guarantee for perfect control under any circumstance in flight and in any wing loading configuration. Meanwhile these control surfaces only produce a minimal drag.

Highly extendable three-stage Schempp-Hirth air brakes make for always safe landings. Even at steep approach angles the glider does not loose much of its buoyancy. So with extended brakes the stall speed increases only a little bit.

All these factors make the Antares 20E a smoothly maneuverable and most agile sailplane. Yet it does not seem “nervous”. Our Antares 20E flies stable, reacts very well and will tell you about any thermal activity in the air. Its maneuverability is comparable to a 15 meter glider. Rolling around the longitudinal axis with a neutral flap setting+ / - 45°, and at a speed of 115 km/h / 62 kts will only take 3.2 seconds.